Off day gloating thread (or not) - a look ahead

That Tony Renda was one of the fringe prospects that went to the Reds for Osun...uh, Chapman...is just too perfect.

That comeback-over-a-comeback last night was the perfect ending to that series.

Given how banged up they’ve been, it’s pretty impressive the Sox have played as well as they have. Eovaldi has been just absolutely tremendous. Pedrofan’s prediction of #2 playoff starter May be prescient. Give that man an extension *TODAY*. Seriously. I’m not kidding. Porcello was nails too, and he is one of the most frustratingly dominant pitchers in baseball when he’s on. Nothing is more infuriating or demoralizing to an offense than a guy who throws endless strikes, painting corners, fooling guys left and right, and feasting on weak contact all while only barely cracking 90. I really do hope Sale’s shoulder is strictly precautionary/geared towards keeping him peak for the playoffs, because he’s been flat incendiary lately. He is truly ACE material, and that’s a label I rarely use. There will never be another Pedro, but damned if Sale isn’t approaching his dominance with shades of Randy Johnson. A Sale-Eovaldi-Rodriguez-Porcello (you could flip the RH if you wanted and stash Eovaldi for a late-series relief appearance if you wanted) rotation looks mighty good to me. They could match up with Houston and I wouldn’t sweat it.

The ‘pen is still a little backend-thin, but their two swing guys have been clutch, Brasier is a wonderful find, and Barnes has emerged as the real deal this year. Here’s hoping they get lucky and Kelly and Hembree revert to their better selves. Ideally, they can send a starter to the ‘pen at year’s end, be it Rodriguez (though I like him in the rotation, tbh, if possible) or Price, who’s often been pretty terrific in relief.

Lots of nagging injuries to positional players, but idk...what can you say? Mookie and JDM are having truly incredible seasons. Pearce has been the perfect fit. JBJ really does justify his spot with just tremendous D (don’t miss the positive effect on pitchers’ confidence), and Benintendi has emerged as a star and looks primed, if you compare his early career line to Mookie’s, to approach superstar status. Devers has had his bumps, but at 21, and recalling his playoff performance last year (and HR off Chapman), he’s a wild card offensively and could bust out. Swihart needs to get back and get his reps. And so does Kinsler...his defense is night and day to what they’ve had.

This team will make a legitimate run at the all-time record for regular season wins.